FALL SPORTS SEASON OFFICIALLY KICKS OFF AT VIRTUE FIELD.. AFTER WEEKS OF CONDITIONING, THE U-V-M WOMEN'S SOCCER TEAM BEGINS THEIR PURSUIT OF A THIRD STRAIGHT AMERICA EAST PLAYOFF BERTH WHEN THEY HOST THE 14TH ANNUAL T-D BANK CLASSIC.. THE CATAMOUNTS WILL WELCOME IN CENTRAL CONNECTICUT ON FRIDAY FOR THE FIRST OF TWO GAMES IN THREE DAYS.. VERMONT WAS PICKED TO FINISH 6TH OF NINE TEAMS IN THE AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE, BUT THEY RETURN KEY STARTERS SUCH AS REIGNING AMERICA EAST PLAYER OF THE YEAR NIKKI MCFARLAND AND GOAL SCORER BRE PLETNICK.. BUT IF YOU HAVE A PROGRAM FROM LAST YEAR, YOU MAY WANT TO TOSS IT OUT... THERE ARE 11 FRESH FACES TO THIS CATAMOUNT TEAM AND ONLY SIX UPPERCLASSMEN ON THE ROSTER... IT'S FORCED THE GROUP TO GEL QUICKLY AS THEY AIM TO SILENCE THE PRESEASON DOUBTERS... THEY'RE VERY TECHNICAL. THEY COME FROM GREAT SOCCER BACKGROUNDS SO WE THINK IT SHOULD BE A PRETTY SMOOTH TRANSITION. WE'RE DEFINITELY EXCITED TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO WE'VE BEEN THROUGH A LOT AS A TEAM AND THAT HELPS US GROW. BY INTEGRATING DIFFERENT TALENTS AND PERSONALITIES WITH THESE NEW GIRLS, WE CAN ONLY GO UP FROM HERE THE SEASON GETS UNDERWAY AT 4 P-M ON FRIDAY.. WE WILL HAVE HIGHLIGHTS TOMORROW NIGHT ON THE